Locke

Locke Lake is a 156-acre general development lake located one mile southeast of Hasty in northern Wright County. The watershed is large (32,365 acres) and the primary land uses are cultivated crops (43%), forest (16%), and hay/pasture (11%). A downstream barrier on Silver Creek isolates Locke Lake from the Mississippi River. A public access is located on the northeast side of the lake. Walleyes are a primary managed species in Locke Lake and have been sustained through fry stocking since 1999. Since 2009, fry have been stocked at a rate of 2,000 per littoral acre, augmented by surplus fry from the hatchery or fry stocked by the lake association. Fall night electrofishing catch rates have varied from zero to 104 young of the year (YOY) per hour (on time). In 2025, 1 YOY Walleye was sampled along with 32 Walleye age-1 or older. Fall electrofishing results in 2025 (0.8/hr) were much lower than 2023 (36.0/hr) and indicate that fry survival was poor (<25/hr). The catch rate of larger walleye in 2025 was 26.1/hr with lengths ranging from 13 to 17 inches and an average length of 14 inches. The gill net catch during the most recent survey in 2021 (2.5/gill net) was similar to the previous survey in 2016 (2.7/gill net). Based on gillnetting and electrofishing results, fry stocking at the current level should be continued and we should continue with contingency fingerling stocking on an as needed basis when fry survival is poor (<25/hr) and fingerlings are available.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Locke Lake was conducted on July 10, 2025, by Sauk Rapids fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due to site conditions. A 50-foot seine was unable to be used at all stations and the a 15-foot seine was used at five stations. Nearshore sampling captured 15 species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (Smallmouth Bass) and four that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp and Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner and Least Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey suggests that the Locke Lake fish community is adversely impacted by stressors as indicated by an FIBI score that is below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated Locke Lake is impaired for biological health. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River-St. Cloud Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Locke Lake is a 156-acre general development lake located one mile southeast of Hasty in northern Wright County. The watershed is large (32,365 acres) and the primary land uses are cultivated crops (43%), forest (16%), and hay/pasture (11%). A downstream barrier on Silver Creek isolates Locke Lake from the Mississippi River. A public access is located on the northeast side of the lake. Walleye is a primary managed species in Locke Lake and have been sustained through fry stocking since 1999. Since 2009, fry have been stocked at a rate of 2,000 per littoral acre, augmented by surplus fry from the hatchery or fry stocked by the lake association. Fall night electrofishing catch rates have varied from zero to 103 young of the year (YOY) per hour (on time). In 2023, 30 YOY Walleye were sampled along with 6 Walleye age-1 or older. Fall electrofishing results in 2023 (36.0/hr) were higher than 2021 (10.3/hr) and indicate successful fry stocking and survival (>25/hr). The catch rate of larger walleye in 2023 was 7.2/hr with lengths ranging from 15.6 to 21.8 inches with an average length of 17.9 inches. The gill net catch during the most recent survey in 2021 (2.5/gill net) was similar to the previous survey in 2016 (2.7/gill net). Based on gillnetting and electrofishing results, fry stocking at the current level should be continued. Fingerlings can also be stocked on a contingency basis when fry survival is poor (<25/hr) and fingerlings are available.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Hybrid Sunfish in Locke. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Locke. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Locke has a maximum depth of 49 feet and a mean depth of 18.1 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Locke is from 2021.

Yes — Locke has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.